Scrubbing or cleaning machine.



N. B. SOURIAN.

SCRUBBING 0R CLEANING MACHlNE APPLICATION FILED MAR. e, 1914.

1 05,574. Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

N. B. SOURIAN.

SCRUBBING 0R CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MARcfi; 1914.

Patented NOV. 21, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

v Wjfizeases: x EA/950% SOURIAN SCRUBBING 0R CLEANING MACHINE.

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Am a? z L I I s l n l v Ly N. B. SOURIAN.

SCRUBBING 0R CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6, 1914.

Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NEBSES B. SOURIAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MAXBORCHARD'I, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SCRUBBING OR CLEANING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. March 6, 1914. Serial No. 822,997.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Nnnsns B. SOURIAN, a subject of the Sultan ofTurkey, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Scrubbingor Cleaning Machines, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as scrubbingor cleaning machines, and relates particularly to a machine forscrubbing carpets, rugs, or floors, and picking up or removing the dirttherefrom.

More especially it relates to a combined scrubbing and vacuum machine,wherein a cleaning substance is applied to the part to be cleaned, thesame scrubbed, and the dirty water, soap-suds, or the like, is sucked'upfrom the floor or rug, and which suction or vacuum mechanism may be usedindependently of the scrubbing mechanism, so as to remove the dry dustfrom the floor, rug, or

the like.

The invention has among its objects the production of a. device of thekind described that is simple, convenient, durable, compact, portable,and efficient, and may be used wherever found applicable.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementor combination of parts herein shown and described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the completemachine; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the wiping mechanism;Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3, 3 of Fig. 1, aportion of the mechanism, particularly the driving mechanism, beingshown in elevation; Fig. -'L is a sectional view taken substantially online 4, 4 of Fig. 6; Fig. 5 is a section through one of the suctionmembers; Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 6, 6 ofFig. 3; Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 7 7 ofFig. 6; Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the rear of the machine; Fig. 9is'a perspective View of a portion of the wiping mechanism, and Fig. 10is a sectional view through the large suction shoe.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred form of my device isshown, 1 is an outer casing or frame of suitable materlal having a rearwall 2, and preferably provided with transverse partitions 3, 4, 5--

and (i, dividing the casing into clean water and soap-suds chamber A,which, as shown, extends back to the rear wall 2 (see Fig. 6) a motorand fan chamber B, and what might be termed a scrubbing chamber C, whichis open at the bottom. The partitions 5 and 6 are so arranged as tosupport a tank 7, the same being preferably detachable, which forms whatmay be termed a dirty water or soap chamber D. It may be said brieflybefore proceeding to the description of the machine shown that soapsuds,or the like, is discharged on to the carpet or rug, floor, or the like,and the surface cleaned by means of suitable brushes, or theirequivalents, and the soapy conveniently) If desired, a handle 17 (only aportion being shown) may be provided for drawing or pushing the completemachine on the rug or floor. The adjustable connection, or means foradjustably regulating the height of the machine from the floor, asshown, consists of a rod 12, secured to wheel 10, which rod may bethreaded at its upper end, and provided with a thumb nut 13. This nutcooperates with a suitable shoulder or flange 14 on the casing, so thatas the thumb nut is turned the front of the machine is raised orlowered. The side wheels 11 are similarly provided with rods 15extending to the top of the machine, upon which are arranged thumb nuts16, the same cooperating with flanges similar to the flange 14. Ofcourse any equivalent adjustable connection between the wheels and themachine may be employed.

The supply chamber A, or fresh water and soap chamber is provided withan inlet 18, preferably at the top, which may be normally closed by adetachable cover 19, if desired: a screen 20 of any suitable form may bearranged to strain thewater and prevent large lumps of soap, or othercleaning material, or foreign matter from dropping to the bottom of thechamber. Arranged on the under side of the bottom 4, preferably alongeach side (see Figs. 3, 6 and 7) is a trough 21. provided with dischargeopenings 22. These troughs 21, the same being really distributing pipes,have an inlet connected with the chamber A, each inlet being preferablycontrolled by a valve 23, or its equivalent for the purpose. The valves23 shown are provided with stems 24, which extend to the exterior of themachine at the top thereof. If desired, guides '25 may be arranged atthe bottom, the top being guided by the top of the casing. These valvesmay be controlled or operated in any suitable manner, thumb nuts 26being provided on the rods 24, the same being engaged by suitableflanges on the top of the casing, similar to the flanges 14, for thefront wheel rod. As is obvious, as either of the valves are opened, thecontents of the chamber A are free to pass into the distributing devices21, from whence it is discharged through the openings 22.

A partition or baflie 29 is preferably arranged lengthwise and centrallythe machine, below the floor or partition 4, and upon each side of thisbaflle are arranged brushes 30 and 31 respectively. Along each side ofthe machine are guards 28 (see Figs.

4 and 6). These brushes may be driven in any desired manner, and asshown, ,the same are preferably arranged between the distributing pipes21 and guards 28, and the partition or batlie 29, and are adapted torotate or be driven so that the bottom turns inwardly, throwing any soapor water toward the bafiie 29. As the soap and water are dropped fromthe distributing pipes 21, and the machine drawn along, the wheels orbrushes rotating at a comparatively high rate of speed, pick up the soapand thoroughly scrub the surface over which the machine is drawn, allthe soap and water, however, being thrown inwardly and not scattered.The same is further rubbed over the floor or rug by additional brushes32 and 33, the waste particles of soap and water, or that is, the dirtysoap and water, being picked up and carried to the dirty water tank, ashereafter described. \Vhile the brushes 30, 31, 32 and 33 may beoperated in any desired manner, a very simple arrangement is shown forthe purpose. Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 5, the brush 30 isprovided with a shaft 34, and brush 31 with a shaft 35, the free ends ofthe brushes being supported in-brackets 36. I

or their equivalents. The forward end of shaft 35 is supported by apartition or the equivalent 37, and is provided with a gear 38 in meshwith the gear 39 on the main driving shaft 40. It may be mentioned thatthe construction is preferably so that the brush may be thrown out ofoperation, a simple construction consisting in making the gear or pinion38 movable, and controlling the same by a lever 48, or its equivalent,so that it may be thrown out of mesh with the gear or pinion 39. The endof the shaft 34 is connected through a universal coupling 41, supportedby a bracket 42 to a gear 43, which meshes with a gear 44, or idlercarried by shaft 45, which is in mesh with gear 46 arranged onshaft 49,by moving the gear 44 out of mesh with the two gears mentioned, brush 30may be thrown out of operation. A lever 47 is shown for the purpose,gear 44 being slidable on the shaft 45. The brushes 32 and 33 are eachprovided with a bushing 54, secured' thereto, which are rotatablymounted upon a shaft 53. Power is transmitted from the shafts 34 and 35through pinions or beveled gears 51, 52 and 49, 50 to the two brushes 32and 33, so as to drive the same. As is obvious, if the brush 30 is notdriven, brush 32 remains stationary, and similarly for brushes 31 and33.

The shaft 40, which is supported in any suitable manner may be connectedto the motive power in any desired way. As shown, an electric motor 62,or its equivalent, is arranged in the chamber B, and provided with adriving shaft 61. The shaft 40 is connected to the driving shaft 51through gears 56 and 57, shaft 58 and bevel gears 59, 60. (See Figs. 3and 6). Any equivalent construction may be employed.

Arranged at the rear of the brushes 32 and 33 is a suitable wiper, orwhat is sometimes called a squeegee. This squeegee will be described indetail hereafter. As was before mentioned, the water from the floor orrug is removed, preferably by means of a suctlon or vacuum.

Arranged in the chamber B is a suction'pump 63, the same beingpreferably driven from the shaft 61. This pump is provided withan intakepipe 64, which is connected through connection 66 and pipe 67 to a pipe68, arranged on the tank 7, 69 being the outlet. If desired, a screen70, or its equivalent, may be arranged as shown in Fig. 3. When the pumpis operated a suction is created in the chamber D. The 'tank 79 ispreferably provided with a plurality of inlets, one from the pipe 71,which is connected to pipe 73, connection 75', pipe 80, to a suctionshoe 81. The inlet 72 is connected by pipe 82, connection 83, and pipe84, to shoe 85. Valves 74 are also preferably provided as shown. As isobvious, as the machine is moved there is a suction through the shoes upinto the chamber D, picking up any dirt, moisture, dirty soap,

or dirty water. from the floor and conveying it into the dirty watertank. As was previously mentioned. a squeegee is preferably arranged atthe rear of the machine, and is to direct any water, dirt, or the like,to the suction shoes. This squeegee is best shown in Figs. '2 and 9.Referring to these, figures, 86, ST is preferably a metal piece, or itsequivalent. provided with rubber Squeegees or feet. 88 and 89, securedto the front piece 87, and to the rear 86. This squeegee is secured tothe machine in any desired manner. Referring particularly to Fig. 9, inwhich a portion of the same is shown, the front squeegee 89 is shorterthan the rear one. and an arm 90 provided and extended as at 91 on thefront sides at each end, the same being preferably notched as at 92. Theforward ends of 91 extend through brackets 93, suitably carried by themachine. The squeegee is maintained upon the floor or rug by rods 95,provided with transverse extensions 92, forked as at 94, and extendingover 91. It is obvious as the rod 95 at each side is depressed thesqueegee is pressed against the floor. Because of the notches the samemay be adjusted in or out, and arranged in the desired position. Therods 95 may be provided with thumb nuts 96, engaged by the flanges 97 onthe machine, and controlled substantially similar to the valve and wheelrods previously mentioned. As is obvious, the squeegee collects thewater at the center of the machine, and causes it to be moved toward thesuction shoes.

In Fig. 10 is shown an enlarged suction shoe 100. \Vhen desired, theshoe 81, or shoe 85, may be removed and the large shoe .inserted, itbeing understood that there may be one for each side, if so desired. Thelarge shoe, however, is particularly intended for use when the brushesupon one side of the machine only are used. As is most clearly shown inFigs. 1 and 8, a handle 101 may be arranged upon the dirty water tankfor convenience in carrying the same when detached. Assuming the machineto be set up as shown, if the valves 23 are opened and the brushesdriven, clean soapy water, or the equivalent, is discharged at thebrushes, the rug or floor scrubbed and the excess water, soap, dirt,etc., taken up by the shoes 81, and discharged into tank 7. One or bothsides of the machine may be operatedas may be desired. l hen it isdesired to empty the tank 7, the vacuum pipes may be disconnected at anyof the required points, and the tank 7 removed for emptying. It may bementioned that the capacity of the tank 7 (chamber D) is preferablygreater than the chamber A, so that more soap and water will not bedrawn into the tank than the tank will hold.

When it is desired to use the machine simply as a vacuum machine, thebrushes may be thrown out of operation, and a suitable nozzle for vacuumpurposes connected to one of the pipes 71 or 72, the valve of the pipenot used being closed. In this case the dirt would be drawn into thetank 7. Suitable means, however, should be provided for preventing itfrom being drawn out through the suction pipe 68. If the con nection (i6is connected with any of the portable shoes of well known construction,the result will be the same, except, however, means should be providedfor receiving the accumulated dirt or dust. chine is used as a vacuumcleaner and the brushes thrown out of operation, the machine should beraised from the floor by adj usting the position of the wheels, and theshoes dropped close to the floor. It may also be mentioned that in caseit is so desired, the brushing members may be covered with suitablematerial, or other brushes substituted, for example, felt brushes, sothat a waxed floor might be very efficiently polished. This is merelymentioned as an illustration.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement orcombination of parts herein shown and described, or usesmentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is '1. In adevice of the kind described and in combination, a suitable casingprovided with a liquid supply tank therein, and formed with a chamber atthe lower part of the casing, open at the bottom, adjustable wheels forcarrying said casing, a plurality of brushes arranged in said chamber,means arranged in said casing and operatively connected with saidbrushes for driving the same, suction mechanism arranged in said casingand operatively connected with said brush driving mechanism, a fluidreceiving tank operatively connected at its top with said suctionmechanism, and a separate suction pipe extending from said tank toproximate the lower side of the casing, and means for conveying the usedcleansing fluid to proximate said suction pipe.

2. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a casingprovided with means for adjustably supporting the same, and with a fluidsupply tank, a scrubbing chamber, a motor chamber, and a receiving tank,scrubbing brushes arranged in said scrubbing chamber along each sidethereof, and at the rear, driving mechanism for said brushes arranged insaid motor chamber and operatively connected with said brushes,distributing pipes connected with said supply tank and positioned todischarge the cleans- Where the maing fluid proximate said side brushes,a squeegee arranged proximate said rear brushes, suction shoes arrangedproximate the ends of said squeegee, means for connecting said shoeswith said receiving tank, suction mechanism arranged in said motorchamber, and operatively connected with the top of said tank, and meansfor operatively connecting said suction mechanism with said brushdriving mechanism.

3. In a device of the kind described and in combination, scrubbingmechanism, comprising a pair of brushes arranged in the form of a V,means for driving the brushes in opposite directions with the undersides thereof thrown inwardly, and a pair of brushes arranged end to endat the separated ends of said first brushes, and each operativelyconnected with the adjacent end of said first mentioned brushes, asource of cleansing fluid supply, adjustable means for conducting thecleansing fluid to proximate the first mentioned brushes at the exteriorsides thereof, a receptacle for receiving the used cleansing fluid, andmeans for conveying the fluid from the scrubbing mechanism to saidreceptacle, comprising pipes extending to the outer ends of said lastmentioned brushes and to said receptacle, and means for creatin a vacuumin said receptacle.

4. In a evice of the kind described and in combination, scrubbingmechanism, a source of cleansing fiuid supply, means for conducting thecleansing fluid to proximate the first mentioned brushes at the exteriorsides thereof, a receptacle for receiving the used cleansing fluid, andmeans for conveying the fluid from the scrubbing mechanism to saidreceptacle, comprising an adjustable wiper arranged at the rear of thescrubbing mechanism, and suction mechanism connected to said receptacle,including suction shoes arranged at each end of said wiper, a pipe tosaid receptacle and pumping mechanism independently piped to saidreceptacle.

5. In a device of the kind described and in combination,scrubbing-mechanism, comprising a pair of brushes arranged in the formof a V, and a pair of brushes arranged end to end at the separated endsof said first brushes,, and each operatively connected with the adjacentvone of said first mentioned brushes, a source of cleansing fluidsupply, means for conducting the cleansing fluid to proximate the firstmentioned brushes at the exterior sides thereof, a receptacle forreceiving the used cleansing fluid, and means forconveying the fluidfrom the scrubbing mechanism to said receptacle, comprising anadjustable wiper arranged at the rear of the scrubbing mechanism, saidwiper adjustable both horizontally and vertically, means for positivelyholding said wiper in the desired position,

and suction mechanism connected to said receptacle including suctionshoes arranged at each end of said wiper.

6. The combination of an adjustably supported casing provided with acleansing fluid supply receptacle, and distributing pipes connectedtherewith on the under side thereof, rotary scrubbing brushes arrangedbetween said pipes and carried by said casing, a detachable fluidreceiving receptacle and a suction conveying mechanism for picking upthe dirty cleansing fluid and conveying the same'to said receptacle,includ ing a pump and means for connecting the same with said receivingreceptacle, and a pipe extending from said receptacle to proximate thefloor, and provided with a suction shoe thereat, and a plurality ofSqueegees adjustably arranged at the rear of the machine and terminatingat said shoe.

7. In a device of the kind described and in combination, the combinationof a suitable casing provided with a liquid supply tank therein, andformed with a chamber at the lower part of the casing, open at thebottom, adjustable wheels for carrying said casing, a plurality ofrotatable brushes arranged in the form of a V in said chamber with thepoint of the V at the front of the casing, and rotatable inwardly attheir juncture with the floor, means arranged in said casing andoperatively connected with said brushes for driving the sameindependently of each other, means for conveying the liquid cleansingfluid from said supply tank to the brushes, suction mechanism arrangedin said casing and operatively connected with said brush drivingmechanism, a detachable fluid receiving tank operatively connected withsaid suction mechanism, and an adjustable suction pipe extending fromsaid tank to proximate the lower side of the casing, and

' in said scrubbing chamber along each side thereof, and at the rearthereof, driving -mechanism for said brushes arranged in said motorchamber and operatively connected with said brushes, means forcontrolling the operation of said brushes, distributing pipes connectedwith said supply tank and positioned to discharge the cleansing fluidproximate said side brushes at the outer sides thereof, a squeegeearranged proximate said rear brushes, adjustable sucmeans adjustablehorizontally and vertition shoes arranged proximate the ends of I saidsqueegee, means for detachably connecting said shoes with said receivingtank,

suction mechanism arranged in said motor chamber, and operativelyconnected with said tank, and means for operatively connecting saidsuction mechanism with said brush driving mechanism.

9. In a device of'the kind described and in combination, a casingprovided with means for adjustably supporting the same, and with a fluidsupply tank, a scrubbing chamber, a motor chamber, and a detachablereceiving tank, scrubbing brushes arranged in said scrubbing chamberalong each side thereof, and at the rear thereof, driving mechanism forsaid brushes arranged in said motor chamber and operatively connectedwith said brushes, means for independently controlling the operationofsaid brushes, a baflie for each side brush arranged in the exteriorchamber at the outer side of the brushes and extending to substantiallythe plane of the lower sides of the brushes, distributing pipesconnected with said supply tank and positioned to discharge thecleansing fluid proximate said side brushes at the outer sides thereof,means for controlling the passage of fluid from the tank into saiddistributing pipes, guards arranged at the outside of said distributingpipes, an ad- 'justable double squeegee arranged proximate said rearbrushes, means for maintaining said squeegee on the floor at the desiredpressure, adjustable suction shoes arranged proximate the ends of saidsqueegee, piping means for detachably connecting said shoes with saidreceiving tank, suction mechanism arranged in said motor chamber, andoperatively connected with said tank, and means for operativelyconnecting said suction mechanism with said brush driving mechanism.

10. The combination in a rug scrubbing machine of the kind described ofa suitable fluid containing casing,

casing,- said brushes disposed .in triangular form, means for rotatingthe brushes with the under sides thereof turning inwardly, distributingpipes extending from said casing on the outer sides of the brushes attwo sides of the triangle, and a squeegeefarranged on the outside of thebrushes on the other side of the triangle, suction shoes disposed at theends of saidsqueegees, a detachable receptacle mounted on said casing,pipes extending to said receptacle from said shoes, and meansindependent of said piping for creating a vacuum in said receptacle.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

NERSES B. SOURIAN. Witnesses ROY WV. HILL,

' CHARLES I. COBB.

a plurality of brushes arranged on the under side of the

